Anthony ELSON

Anthony Gordon Elson: born 1935 Worthing, Sussex. Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. 1956 trained under Dunstan Pruden at Brighton College of Art where he received a diploma. 1960 to the Royal College of Art with a BA and Silver Medal for geometrical decoration in 1963 and in 1964 received a travelling bursary. Worked for William Comyns Ltd. 1964-68 where he was introduced to the production techniques that governed commercial viability. He went to Geneva and Tiffany's factory in New York. 1968 bought Blunt & Wray, an old established ecclesiastical manufacturer which produced mainly brass churchwork but had a small silversmithing workshop. By 1976 the company employed 25 producing Elson's designs, the domestic silver production subsidising the ecclesiastical business. He aimed at mass production through retailers and a fine jug (1972) and cigarette box (1974) in the Goldsmiths Company collection illustrates his work. With the decline of the ecclesiastical market and tough economic climate of the late 1970's he appointed a liquidator in 1981 and this side of the business was sold to A E Jones in Birmingham. In the same year he formed Anthony Elson Silversmiths establishing a successful design and prototype workshop in Clerkenwell, London, working with freelance specialists, concentrating on individual silver commissions. In 1979 he edited a book published by the NAG "A Silversmith's Manual" by Bernard Cuzner. Elson has been the Chairman of the Council for Craft at the Goldsmith's Company and also served on the Council of City of London Guilds. Many prominent commissions from the City of London, London Stock Exchange, City livery companies, universities, corporations, Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, Lincoln Cathedral and the King of Nepal. Has exhibited widely in the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and the Middle East. His work can be found in many private and institutional collections. In 2002 he moved his studio and workshop to Sussex where he continues his commissioned work. He is currently developing a new technique to colour silver with stunning results. Personal Statement With a thorough understanding of the craft and concern about the diminishing range of skills within the industry, my designs endeavour, when interpreting the wishes of my patrons, to combine these rare skills with imagination.We are always interested in purchasing work by Anthony Elson

Limited Edition to commemorate the 600th Anniversary of the City of Bristol with Bristol Assay Office Mark (Royal Brierley Crystal)

Anthony Law told me: 'I worked forAnthonyElson from 1970 to 1973 as a chaser, carver and engraver and was responsible for the decorative/historical aspect of the Bristol 600 claret suite and for some of the design work. I made the electroforming patterns for the claret jug lids and handles and for the central discs in the coasters. If I remember correctly I also made the casting pattern for the goblet stems. Whereas I kept to the generally Mediaeval theme of the design the man in the boat on the claret jug lid is a self portrait (as I was then)

Limited Edition to commemorate the 600th Anniversary of the City of Bristol with Bristol Assay Office Mark (Royal Brierley Crystal)

Anthony Law told me: 'I worked forAnthonyElson from 1970 to 1973 as a chaser, carver and engraver and was responsible for the decorative/historical aspect of the Bristol 600 claret suite and for some of the design work. I made the electroforming patterns for the claret jug lids and handles and for the central discs in the coasters. If I remember correctly I also made the casting pattern for the goblet stems. Whereas I kept to the generally Mediaeval theme of the design the man in the boat on the claret jug lid is a self portrait (as I was then)